School District Rallying for Another Parcel Tax Campaign

The is in the area without a parcel tax to generate additional revenue. But the district hopes to change this in June 2012.

The district was just 4 percentage points short in 2009 of the 66 percent needed to pass a parcel tax. Over 70 percent of voters then had said they would vote for a parcel tax, but the turnout didn’t materialize at the polls.

“This is an embarrassment to the whole community,” said Margaret Marshall, one of the committee members.

The Redwood City School District receives the lowest amount of funding, $5,251 per student, amongst all the surrounding districts. The Woodside Elementary district, in contrast, receives $11,400 per student.

“Every time I look at that bar graph [comparing districts’ budgets], I know that a parcel tax is the only way we’re ever going to make a dent in this discrepancy,” Trustee Shelly Masur said.

The boardmembers highlighted the absolute necessity of securing a dedicated funding source that the state couldn't take away.

Independent poll company Godbe asked voters again in January whether they would support a parcel tax. More than 70 percent said ‘yes,’ and of that number, 71 percent said they would support a $60 parcel tax, the highest level. The other options were $52, $44 and $36 a year.

There will be a senior citizen exemption, Christensen explained, so there isn’t a burden on them. However, boardmembers said that some seniors could get offended because they wanted to do their share.

“But we never see that high support at the polls,” Trustee Hilary Paulson said.

Trustee Dennis McBride strongly urged for another poll to be conducted closer to the date to again gage public sentiment. Events like this week’s unprecedented stock market roller coaster could occur again and shake people’s willingness to approve a parcel tax.

The board highly encouraged as much specificity as possible in describing how the money would be spent.

However, MacAvoy said some people might not be interested in P.E. fields, for example.

The committee has already hired a campaign consultant using privately raised funds. It also formed the organization, Redwood City Community for Better Schools, that can now receive donations for a future measure.

“The train has already left the station, but we need more support to keep it going up the hill,” Marshall said.

She added that the campaign needs more school site volunteers at every school. Additionally, the committee would also encourage other community groups to get involved, she said.

“Soccer clubs, women’s clubs, knitting clubs, everyone,” she said of whom to contact to raise more awareness about the tax.

There will also be two distinct campaigns, one for parents in the school district and another for those who don’t have children in the districts, Marshall said.

“Good schools will make safer communities and increase property values,” Marshall said.